Workstream

What Is Workstream?

Workstream is a people management platform built for restaurants with hourly teams operating across multiple locations. It helps operators keep employee information, working hours, and payroll data aligned as employees move from hiring to scheduling and payment. This gives restaurant owners a clearer view of labor across locations and helps lower the errors that can occur when employee data is entered and maintained in separate systems. It also issues alerts for issues like overtime, missed breaks, and forgotten clock-outs.

The platform is particularly valuable for establishments dealing with high employee turnover, changing schedules, multiple pay rates, and location-specific labor requirements. By keeping these processes connected, Workstream could reduce the amount of reconciliation managers need to perform between locations. It also gives them a more consistent way to manage their hourly workforce as the business grows.

What Is Workstream Best For?

The software is best for Active Sourcing, particularly text-to-apply and QR codes that let hourly candidates apply from their phones so they may not have to navigate to a separate job listing. For restaurants and other high-traffic hourly businesses, this could turn everyday candidate touchpoints, such as hiring posters, in-store signage, or printed materials, into direct job application opportunities. It also supports referrals, a talent network, career pages, social media, and job boards, giving hiring teams multiple ways to reach potential applicants through channels they already use. The feature is particularly suitable for businesses with frequent hiring needs and regular customer or employee foot traffic.

How Much Does Workstream Cost?

Workstream’s starting price is estimated at $199/month. In addition, the vendor offers the following pricing plans, all of which are based on a custom quote.

• Hiring
• Essentials
• All-in-one
• Premium

Workstream also offers add-ons that firms can select based on their operational requirements:

• Time And Scheduling: Scheduling, Time Tracking, Shift Swapping
• ACA And Benefits: Eligibility Tracking, Benefits Administration, Payroll Deductions
• Workstream Compliance: Labor Compliance Monitoring, Built-in Alerts, Compliance Heat Maps

Organizations should also consider the following potential additional costs, depending on the implementation scope and technical requirements:

• Basic implementation: $500-$1,000
• HRIS Setup And Employee Onboarding: $750-$1,500
• Payroll Setup: $1,000-$2,500
• Custom Data Migration: $500-$2,000+
• Custom Integrations: $500-$3,000+
• Additional Training: $250-$1,000+

Users generally view Workstream as offering good value for money. Some buyers consider the cost reasonable based on the time and process improvements they experienced. Others point to additional charges for HRIS and payroll integrations, which can increase the overall cost for organizations that need those capabilities.

Disclaimer: Pricing references are based on publicly available third-party information and industry benchmarks. Actual costs may vary.

Workstream Integrations

The platform integrates with various third-party applications, including:

• QuickBooks Online
• Square for retail
• ADP Workforce Now
• WOTC.com
• Paychex Flex
• Paylocity
• Checkr
• JobTarget

How Does Workstream Work?

Here’s how you can access Workstream and move through its main hiring, HR, scheduling, and payroll functions:

• Log in with your credentials to access the platform
• Create job postings and collect applicants through Workstream’s hiring tools
• Manage candidates with Applicant Tracking and move selected applicants through the hiring process
• Set up employee records, documents, signatures, and onboarding requirements
• Configure employee schedules, time records, roles, and pay rates based on your staffing needs
• Review payroll information and check for common compliance risks before processing payroll
• Track employee information and records from a centralized location as staffing changes

Who Is Workstream For?

Workstream is primarily designed for restaurants, particularly franchises and restaurant groups managing multiple locations. Its capabilities can also support organizations in the healthcare and retail sectors.

Workstream Use Cases

Based on our analysis of Workstream’s current capabilities, we identified the following scenarios where the platform could be a practical fit:

HR Teams Replacing Paper-Based Onboarding

When new hires have to complete paper applications, I-9s, tax forms, and other documents, hiring can be delayed before an employee starts their first shift. The Digital Onboarding functionality lets candidates complete and sign required documents electronically from their phones, while managers can review the submitted information in the system. This could be particularly useful for restaurant groups where hiring volume might make it difficult to manage paper collection and document follow-up consistently across locations.

Restaurant Operators Hiring Staff For New Locations

A new location may need to hire a large team before opening. This gives hiring teams a short time to find candidates, conduct interviews, and complete the hiring process. Workstream’s Talent Network can help teams build a candidate pool ahead of an opening and move applicants through hiring before the location begins operating. It also enables operators to see whether hiring is on track to meet the new location’s staffing needs.

Franchise Groups Managing Hiring Across Different Locations

Franchise groups adding locations need a way to give individual managers responsibility for hiring while maintaining visibility at the group level. The platform gives operators a central view of applicants across locations, enabling them to see how many applications each location receives and check whether managers are reviewing candidates. This allows regional and corporate teams to monitor hiring progress without having to oversee every applicant at each location.

HR Teams Handling Employee Records Across Several Branches

Managing employee documents across multiple restaurants could become more difficult when records are stored in paper files or handled separately at each location. Workstream’s HRIS and digital employee records give HR teams a central place to manage employee information, documents, and onboarding records across locations. The feature can help HR teams access and share employee records with managers, reducing the need for them to search through separate location-based files.

Is Workstream Right For You?

Workstream could be a suitable fit for franchises and restaurant groups managing hiring, staffing, and workforce management across multiple locations. Its centralized approach can give operators a consistent way to oversee their workforce as they add restaurants and expand their teams.

The software is SOC 2 Type II compliant and encrypts data both at rest and in transit using AES-256 and TLS 1.2+, respectively. It also supports role-based access controls, SSO, audit logs, and tenant-level data isolation. Its compliance controls cover areas such as I-9 and E-Verify requirements, tax and government paperwork deadlines, employee forms, and labor compliance monitoring.

Some of Workstream’s customers include restaurant brands and franchise groups such as Taco Bell, IHOP, Jimmy John’s,  Dunkin’, Crumbl, and Papa John’s.

However, vendors should consider that smaller restaurants or businesses with simpler staffing needs may not require a platform as extensive as Workstream.

Still not sure if Workstream is right for you? Contact our customer support team at (661) 384‑7070, who will help you make the best decision.